A friend of mine has come back from a rather long trip all the way from SCL. On board he started having a huge headache ! He asked the fA's if they had aspirin or some other medication that would put away his headache. They replied they had nothing.

Its not the first time I hear that; including me...once I had a headache and they had nothing; a cousin of mine was sick and they had none of the anti vomiting drugs.

I would like to ask why airline's cannot hand out at least an asprini to passengers with headaches! After all tis an over the counter medication and the passenger is meant to know well if he can take that medication or not. I'm not saying all medications should be allowed to be handed out by FA's but at least the basic ones everyone keeps at their homes! After all not everyone has the reflex top take aspirins with them on board and many put their medication away in the suitcases !

Regards

A man without the knowledge of his past history,culture and origins is like a tree without roots

Its ridiculous. Asprin and Paracetamol arent even sold by a pharmacist over a counter in the UK. They are readily available from garages, pound shops, and corner shops so I fail to understand why an airline cannot stock basic painkillers and anti-emetics.

Will they soon no longer be able to sell soft-drinks because they can lead to teeth damage? its pathetic.

I was working for Swiss charter airline Balair up to 1994. Be did have the same pharmacy on board as Swissair. This box provided full medication for about anything that was not severe. Don't ask me about legal aspect. I don't know either if this is still available on Swiss International Air Lines. But I think it is a good thing and basically the crew is doing nothing else than any pharmacy. They have a range of non-prescription medication with the only difference it was for free.
There was a so called "doctors kit" as well. This was locked with a key, which was with the Senior F/A. This doctors kit was only to be used by a doctor of medicine. So if there was a medical emergency on board and the crew found a doctor, this kit provided the minimum to treat the ill person.
I think those kits were a good thing and hopefully they are still available.

At bmi, we have first aid kits containing all sorts of stuff, including paracetemol and aspirin. Also, all the Cabin Service Managers and Flight Supervisors have a small kit with them, again containing paracetemol, aspirin, etc.

If some-one's got a stinking headache on a long flight, and they're not allergic to the above medication, it makes sense to give them a couple of pills, and that's what we do!

Legal position: If the person has an adverse reaction to this medication then the airline are responsible as the ones who administered the medication will end up in the shit. Some over the counter medication, such as Brufen can cause serious gastrointestinal bleeds, as can aspirin. Also people can have allergic reactions to these medications. There is a subtle difference between self administration (which the airline would not be responsible) and the airline administering medication (which they would be responsible for). Its a litigious minefield and unfortunately these are the days we live in!

I cant see that a simple painkiller like Paracetamol should cause too many problems and on a long flight for a passenger with a headache, it would be a blessing.

I always assumed that airlines did carry basic medications like Anti-emtics and painkillers. I always thought that if a passenger got violently air-sick that a cabin crew member would be able to dispense a simple travel-sickness pill.

Cabin crew are not pharmacists, nor does one expect them to dispense dangerous drugs but I cant see the harm in an Asprin.

Quoting Orion737 (Reply 2):Its ridiculous. Asprin and Paracetamol arent even sold by a pharmacist over a counter in the UK.

In legal terms there is a difference between selling a drug, whether an aspirin, paracetamol or whatever, and administering a drug to a person. Apart from some people being allergic to even the mildest drugs, you must remember that paracetamol cannot be used if you suffer from any liver/kidney infection.

If you administer any drug, you have to be assured that the patient is not allergic to it, so why risk a potential law suit when it can be avoided by not giving the drug in the first place? Of course, if it was a matter of life or death, the situation would be different.

Unfortunately we live in a world where litigation is loved and there are lawyers who can smell a lawsuit at a hundred miles and will go rushing in for a piece of the action. I remembered reading once that someone helped a colleague at work when he was badly scalded, but his "good samaritan" act made it more difficult for the doctors so the good samaritan was sued by the patient for causing additional stress and suffering!

MOL on SRB's latest attack at BA: "It's like a little Chihuahua barking at a dying Labrador. Nobody cares."

Quoting BCAL (Reply 7):In legal terms there is a difference between selling a drug, whether an aspirin, paracetamol or whatever, and administering a drug to a person. Apart from some people being allergic to even the mildest drugs, you must remember that paracetamol cannot be used if you suffer from any liver/kidney infection.

In that case, they should at least make it available for purchase. Or have a machine dispense it directly to the patient. There are many ways of getting away from the administering part if you really want to provide that service.

By realizing what these battalions of lawyers are causing and making desicions of common sense impossible I would love to start a law suit against those lawyers as for example thousands of peoples had to suffer for hours from terrible headache as there was no pill available on board due to those lawyers...
Going by the dimension those lawyers are thinking, I guess 10'000 $ per person per headache would be adequate....

No seriously, where do we end up going on like this? There are persons suffering from a strawberry allergy and they really get in trouble consuming those. Did ever somebody hear about that airlines are not supposed to serve strawberries any more? My dad is suffering from diabetics, any airline of the world could kill him by a really strongly sugared coffee. They still serve it and I think it is good so, because the person who does not support this coffee needs to know. All this is a matter of common sense and should be treated as this. The person suffering from a allergy normally knows this and it is in this persons responsibility to indicate so. Sure, in airline business we are dealing with laws of different countries. So I think the legal department of the airlines, maybe even the ICAO or the IATA should develop a legal way that does allow to give mediation and prevents the carrier from any legal case. I am sure, this would help many people.

Quoting Orion737 (Reply 6):I cant see that a simple painkiller like Paracetamol should cause too many problems

Well you would think so, but can you guarantee that every time you dispense that paracetamol the person you are giving it too isnt going to have an adverse reaction. You dont know any underlying medical conditions that person could have that paracetamol would aggravate such as asthma, liver disease etc. You dont know what medication they have taken before that could interact with paracetamol or whether they have taken a dose of paracetamol before and would now exceed the dose. You cannot say for definite that this person has taken paracetamol before snd that this would be the first time they are taking it and may have an allergic reaction. See....a litigious minefield.

Quoting Catatonic (Reply 5):Some over the counter medication, such as Brufen can cause serious gastrointestinal bleeds, as can aspirin.

These medications, known as Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) do produce those effects you have mentioned ! However, this effect is obtained with a prolonged use. Thus there are two things to take into account

1) One time you take it won't cause you any problem

2) The person might take the medic on a regular basis (e.g Aspirin to prevent heart attacks) and thus they are aware of the problems these may cause. Plus I'm sure they'll carry the medics on them and if this was not the case, taking an extra one won't make things worse. If the person then has secondary effects its not the airline's fault as the person already took that medication before.

Thus I don't see why airlines shouldn't hand out basic Analgesics and Anti-Emetics

[Edited 2005-06-13 13:45:09]

A man without the knowledge of his past history,culture and origins is like a tree without roots

[quote=RootsAir,reply=12] If the person then has secondary effects its not the airline's fault as trhe person already took that medication before.

Thus I don't see why airlines shouldn't hand out basic Analgesics and Anti-Emetics[/quot

I absolutely do agree with you. Furthermore in the box of the medication is the sheet with all the contraindications, who shouldn't take it etc. (in some countries this is printed on the outside of the box)
So it really is possible for everybody to read and understand this. If there is somebody not able to read it or to understand the language it is printed, I am sure every F/A on the world working for a halfway decent carrier will be more than happy to read it to the person and to ask if it is understandable. So there is still room to not give the medication in case of any doubts.

Paracetamol (acetaminophen in North America) is not good for the liver. In fact, it's very toxic. Anything more than 4000 mg in a 24 hour period can cause permanent liver damage. That's only 8 extra-strength tablets a day maximum.

Paracetamol is found in many cold medicines and other pain medications (Vicodin, Percocet, etc.)...often in doses up to 750 mg of paracetamol per tablet. The majority of people don't realise this and therefore don't factor it into the daily total dose of paracetamol. You wouldn't believe how many hundreds of patients have told me, "I took a couple of "XYZ" cold capsules and two extra-strength Tylenol an hour ago." That means they took at least 2000 mg of paracetamol in one dose. Then they go on to do that four to six more times in the next 20 hours. These people are killing their livers faster than a two liter a day boozer.

As a Registered Nurse, I NEVER give anyone paracetamol (or any other medicine for that matter) when off-duty because I'm personally liable if they have an adverse reaction. If, by chance, they are diagnosed with liver failure two weeks after I gave them paracetamol, they might remember that I gave them the medication. Their lawyer would have a field day!

I can go to my local petrol station and buy a simple painkiller. I am not asked a series of questions by the cashier.

It is true that paracetamol when taken above the recommended dosage can cause liver malfunctions. I dont think the Cabin crew would give the passenger the whole bottle!

Truth is Paracetamol is the safest and most commonly used painkiller. When taken correctly it is very unlkely to cause side-effects, much less so than other painkillers such as Brufen or Asprin. It is so safe that their are no conditions of its sale in the UK. It is a recent condition that no more than 16 can be purchased at one unless over the counter of a chemist but it can be sold anywhere and without any question needed to be asked of the purchaser.

I think nobody here puts in doubt that paracetamol can cause serious problems to health if consumed in overdoses.
I think this or similar examples still don't justify that airlines do not have anything on board that could help if somebody really doesn't feel well.
There are other means of consumables on board that can result dangerous but which are completely legal.
We also could look at it in another aspect: In case of an emergency a person suffering from a serious pain who could not get any help as there is no pill available on board, is unable to evacuate the airplane as fast as necessary.... so?
I think we are in best shape if we feel good and therefore everything reasonable should be done that people feel good. This can include a harmless medication or lets say a medication in a harmless does.

You'll learn next time to carry a few of them in your carry-on, or in your pocket ---- problem solved!

I'm sure if you've had asked a few pax in the cabin they would have given you one.

Sure, the lawsuit reasoning is ridiculous but unfortunately it's fact ... don't they say put all medications in your carry-on....add a few OTC headache pills in there.

As for Paracetamol being 'dangerous', this appears to be extremely exaggerated information. The only cases I could find is from people taking huge overdoses of this, and having liver problems.....well read the label and the drug is one of the safest out there!

Keep taking the pills....

Jimbo

I'd rather be on the ground wishing I was in the air, than in the air wishing I was on the ground!

Agree completley. No one is suggesting cabin crew start handing out prescription painkillers like Codeine but a simple 'safe' painkiller like Paracetamol that is widely tolerated, readily available and has few negative interactions with other drugs patients might be taking should be offered to passengers who ask for it.

But the cabin crew doesn't know how much paracetamol the passenger has onboard.

Willingly purchasing medication at a shop isn't the same as having it handed to you upon request. Also, the line is crossed when someone being paid in a "caregiver" role hands out a medication. That's why teachers, daycare workers, healthcare workers, police, etc. don't hand out meds without a written physician order or written parental permission. To make things as simple and safe as possible, most companies/agencies simply develop a "no meds" policy.

We can offer (recommend) Gastrolyte to pax for conditions listed in our Manual as an electroylte drink cannot harm you. Paracetemol and Alka Seltza must be SPECIFICALLY requested. ie A pax must say "I want paracetemol." If they mention they have a headache we can only give water and offer "anything else..." to prompt the pax to ask.

We cannot tell the pax to take a particular dose. We give them the blister strip (contains about 10) and a glass of water and take the strip from them when done.

I often wonder if that is enough to prevent litigation as we do not give them any box with dosage guidelines written on it for pax to consult.

Well I have a perfect solution to the problem about asking for medication on board. Why not give a passenger who asks for an aspirin or paracetamol a placebo. Chances are the passenger might feel better in the belief that he has taken something.

As to being able to buy aspirin or paracentamol over the counter, in the UK you are only allowed to buy three packs maximum in a single purchase. Cannot understand this, as you could easily go to another place and buy more or get someone else to buy you some more.

MOL on SRB's latest attack at BA: "It's like a little Chihuahua barking at a dying Labrador. Nobody cares."

As far as I'm aware, pretty much every UK airline has to carry a first aid kit on board, and we certainly hand out paracetamol to passengers on request. We have a short form asking passengers various questions, and we ask them to sign it to show they are aware of the answers they have given and accept responsibilty. We'll hand out 2 tablets and no more during the flight. Simple, easy, and transfers the responsibility onto the passenger.

25 Orion737
: Very sensible. The rule on maximum of three packs being sold in one purchase is the only condition of sale for paracetamol in this country. You can bu

26 RDURAMPER
: Remember, the key difference is the fact of an individual purchasing the product on their own in which the airline would not be liable, or having an

27 Tavong
: In fact altougth Paracetamol side-effects are know and exposed before it's also on of the safest drugs possible, even in overdoses not ALL people tha

28 Catatonic
: If you give it to someone with an ulcer it can produce that effect a lot sooner. That's why I said you have to be aware of a persons underlying medic

29 AsstChiefMark
: But the cabin crew doesn't know how much paracetamol the passenger has onboard Sorry. By "onboard" I mean how much the patient has already taken. It's

30 Cha747
: So the most impressive part about this thread is that more people from countries other than the U.S. (known for its rabid lawyers) are weighing-in on

31 JoseMEX
: FWIW, a few years ago, while on a CO MAD-EWR flight I went to the rear galley and asked for some aspirin. They had a small container with different ty

32 UAL747DEN
: Like everyone is saying you can give out meds as a FA because of the liability. Now that said, I have been in situations where a few pills end up in t

33 Jacobin777
: Part of the problem is because of the fact the plane is a closed tube, and possibly in the air for many hours, if the person has a bad reaction, etc,

34 RootsAir
: Ok if he doesn't yet know about his ulcera. but if he's had it diagnosed he'll have had the medical advice not to take the NSAID 's

35 N328KF
: I had a hangover on a LH flight from MUC in 2001 (Hofbrauhaus!) and the FAs gave me aspirin.